T h e . W o r l d . S t i l l . T u r n s (HrtofDrkns)

[EmmaliaChan]

This is a Rejuve-Universe RolePlay between myself and HrtofDrkns.
Please do not post here, but feel free to read along with us if you're interested.

August 12th, a sunny but chilly Wednesday. The date of two judicial rejuvenations, one of which was that of a young brunette female clad in the distinctive orange jumpsuit of a felon. It seemed to have crept up on her, but it was time. After a lot of fuss, from courtrooms to holding cells to lawyers and back again, the day of Ava Bailey's judicial rejuvenation had arrived. Needless to say, she was neither happy nor looking forward to the event.

Her amber eyes gleaming with rage, she pounded her fists helplessly against the semi-invisible forcefield that made up the walls of her cell, rattling the handcuffs keeping them attached closely together. It was evident in the rigidity of her demeanor that she was frustrated, angry, and exhausted -- she'd been keeping up her pounding for the entirety of the two hours she'd been in the cell, regardless of the fact that she, as a scientist, was well aware of the endurance capabilities of the specific type of field they used. It'd take a rather powerful missile to bust her out of it. Not that she cared.

Beneath that furious facade, however, Ava was scared. This wasn't her first rejuvenation, no; the silver 'V's adorning the tops of both of her hands was enough to attest to that. Twice she'd volunteered to rejuvenate, mostly for academic purposes so she could study more related to her field of science, always more than happy to absorb as much information and knowledge as she possibly could. It was a field that her birth parents practically forced her into, but she had learned to enjoy it very much. Making them proud was enough to keep her happy, anyway, and it's not as if she wasn't living comfortably with her pay. But this time, it wasn't of her own accord, and beyond that, the treatment of Penitatas children terrified her.

Her crime? Wanting a family. Considering herself above rearing a Penitatas, and not wanting to raise a pseudo-child who had volunteered, the methods of earning the parenting license that would allow her to get the hormonal suppressing Kensington Treatment reversed just didn't appeal to her. If you asked her, the APP was ridiculous; there were better ways of regulating overpopulation. She could name a half-dozen off the top of her head! But she wouldn't. It wasn't as if they'd listen to a convict anyway.

Trying to weasel her way around the APP's parental licensing system was her first crime; Ava wasn't sure that was even documented anywhere as being a felony, as she doubted anyone else had ever even thought of a way to try to. While cloning was common knowledge, thinking of growing a child in a test tube just wasn't something the typical person thought up. She had a feeling that's why her sentence was relatively short despite having two charges on her plate. But the second one, there was really no dancing around the edges of the law with: attempted human cloning. The embryo was still growing in her lab when she was found out, and was confiscated by the investigators - which made all of her efforts a waste, and she had even been using her own money for the equipment she used (although she was doing it in a professional lab that was funded by at least one of several scientific research teams at any given time; still this money was for her to use as she saw fit, and there was nothing that said she wasn't allowed to use it for personal gain, only that it must be used for scientific purposes). Even the DNA provided had been her own, with multiple modifications so that the child wouldn't look or seem exactly like her.

But now it had cost her. She'd known it was a crime, she just hadn't expected to be caught by a spontaneous 'Public Safety Check' by officials. Dragged into court and sentenced to 3x7-12, she'd be remembering it as a crime for the next 15 years. Her laboratory was gone, her clone-child was gone, her real family was gone, her freedom was gone, and she'd be living with strangers who would torment her daily with their rules and their restrictions and their spankings. Oh god, their spankings... She couldn't even imagine. Ava had very rarely been punished that way each time she was growing up, always having been a well-behaved and considerate child even if she could be stubbornly headstrong at times.

At least she didn't seem to be the only one in for it, she thought to herself as she continued to bloody her knuckles against the walls of her cell. In the cell beside hers was a small boy with a bolded 'P' on each of his small hands, a youngster she paid little attention to beyond a sideways glance here or there. It was somehow, in her mind, a stark contrast to the emblazoned 'V's marking her own - though, she supposed they'd be wearing matching marks soon enough. Apparently this wasn't his first cycle, though. Silently she wondered if the boy was becoming soft-time. Poor thing; she never liked Penitatas much at all, but somehow she found herself feeling bad for the small child in the padded handcuffs, even though she was well aware that he'd done at least something to earn himself a sentence.

After a while, three women came in to retrieve her, the one in the lead stopping to stare at her bloodied hands before writing something down in the folder she was carrying. "It's time for your rejuvenation, Miss Bailey. Your crimes are..." The woman re-checked the notes in her handy-dandy folder. "Attempting to circumvent the parental licensing laws and human cloning." Ava rolled her eyes; like she needed to be reminded. Another note in the folder. With that, a button was pressed, and the forcefield dissipated. Meanwhile, the other two women came on either side of her and began leading her into the next room as Ava's stomach began to twist into knots. It seemed so much more difficult to her now that it was actually happening.

Soon her handcuffs were removed and she was stripped, a too-short paper gown replacing the orange garment. Subtly Ava gave the nurses a hard time, tugging away and such when they would try to get her arm into or out of one of the aforementioned articles of clothing, and she saw Folder Lady jotting more and more down in her smorgasbord of irrelevant notes. Then she was sedated, placed inside the machine, and soon found herself waking up to her new body.

The paper gown she was wearing now hung off of her like it was four sizes too big, and reached down past her knees. Instead of waiting in a cell, she now waited in a nearly empty room with a folder - the one she'd seen the woman who'd fetched her write in several times - hanging in a compartment on the door. The only furniture in the room was the bed she woke up on and a simple chair that held a set of folded up clothes. If she hadn't been in KidKuffs, she would've gone and put them on. But for now, all she could do was wait for her new 'family' (ugh, the sound of it made her nauseous) to come and pick her up.

Inside the folder, though, were her court papers, which listed her convictions and her SPDs (Easter, Halloween, Christmas), and a report of her behavior while being contained. It mentioned both her wounded hands (which were now healed thanks to her rejuve), eye rolling, and her lack of cooperation with the nurses, on top of the time she told the guard he could 'shove his shitty prison food' when she'd been served something she didn't want. Obviously the woman was one of those nasty types who did everything she could to get impending Penitatas punishments to be as terrible as possible; in Ava's opinion, there were far too many people like that in the world.

Lastly was a page listing her personal information, such as her name, occupation, the names and addresses of her biological parents (who had also taken care of her after both of her rejuves, having been rejuved themselves when she reached adulthood so they'd be adults when she herself was rejuvenated), and some of her preferences - most of which were taken from a mandatory personality survey people were required to take every year. How else would new parents know their rejuve's likes and dislikes, after all?

'Ava Bailey (#014529)

Mother: Yvonne Bailey (address on second page of report)

Father: Marcus Bailey (address on second page of report)

Religious View: Athiest/Scientologist

Occupation: Geneticist
Likes: Grapefruit, turkey soup, the color green, parakeets, seashells, snowy weather, bamboo plants
Dislikes: Pork, berry pies, fruit flies, irrational numbers, the color purple, cigarette smoke, sudden loud noises, people who spit
Interests: Music, Martial Arts, Science, Greek Mythology
Traits*: Go-getter, introvert, muleishly stubborn, kind hearted, punctual, selfless

* - as listed by parents'

The little girl was, of course, far more than a simple piece of paper. No matter how 'muleishly stubborn' she was, it didn't change her humanity - just like anyone would be, Ava was scared. She'd hide it, though, because that's what she did. Ava bottled up her feelings, all of them except for anger, which she often let loose whenever she wished. But sorrow, fear, worry, frustration, and even happiness all got stored away in the deepest part of her heart. That had been true even when she was a child, whether because she didn't want to show weakness and get picked on for it, or whether she simply didn't want to worry the parents she loved so much. So now, even as she stood in the plain white room, her legs quivering from both fright and relearning motor control, her wrists bound and trembling, she kept her trademarked poker face on. Because that was what she did.

That was Ava. At least for now.

[[OoC: Just as a note, this is what Ava looks like now that she's a kid! > w<b Would love to see a picture of Max, if you have one. If not, this might help you~]]

[Hrtofdrkns]

It wasn't nearly as scary this time.

After one full cycle of his sentence of 6X5-10, penny life held few surprises for ten-year old Max. Even his review hearing hadn't really surprised him. He had known from the start that he had almost no chance of avoiding a further cycle of hard time, particularly with his crime. But still, he had had the tinniest bit of hope...

After the hearing he had given his first cycle parents a quick hug goodbye, assuring them he would be okay. To someone outside the system such affection might have seemed strange between what were essentially a prisoner and his jailers, but to anyone who spent time with penitatas it was perfectly natural. Even the harshest penny parents became attached to their penitatas, and children naturally bonded with their caregivers.

He had been stripped, given a quick wash, put in an orange jumpsuit and kidkuffs, and set in a force-field cell to await his turn at the rejuvenator. Through it all Max had cooperated, doing exactly as he was instructed and answering with "Sir" or "Ma'am". One of the first things a penitatas learned was when an adult speaks, you listen. If you didn't then your bottom was in for a world of hurt.

Once in his cell Max had simply sat on the steel bench provided. It was bolted to the floor of course, and there was no other furniture. He glanced over at the woman in the cell next to his, watching with amusement as she pounded on the wall of force.

"You might as well try punching through the floor." He had said, pointing down at the concrete. "Give it a rest before you hurt yourself." When she ignored him he shrugged and laid down, trying to ignore her. Soon after she had been taken by the guards, and Max's turn wasn't much longer after that.

He came too back in a five-year old's body, but it wasn't nearly as disorienting as it had been the first time. A guard had lifted him up and carried him to one of the waiting rooms, and to his surprise it was already occupied by a girl who looked a few years older then him.

"We're crowded at the moment, so you'll have to share." The guard explained. "Besides, according to your papers you're going to be neighbors." He carried Max over and sat him next to the girl, put the the boy's file next to hers, then left after locking the door behind him.

Max looked over at the girl. Definitely a first-timer. But there was something familiar...

"You're the woman from holding right? The one beating her fists on the force-field." Max said. "I told you it wouldn't work. So, what's your story anyway? You look too big to be a murderer or rapist (generally, the worse the crime the younger a penitatas was kept)."

Out of Character Comments:

I love the graphic at the top of your post.

[EmmaliaChan]

The scrawny 7-year-old glared harshly at the door when it opened, expecting her new caretakers (she refused to call them her parents) to be coming through. Instead one of the guards came in, carrying a familiar looking little boy in his arms. After the boy was set down on the bed she'd previously been on, the guard left, first explaining that they'd have to share the room, and that they would be neighbors.

The latter didn't surprise her too awfully much, considering the fact that Penitatas weren't generally allowed in normal 'Kindern' rated neighborhoods and had to live in one specifically for rejuvenated convicts. There were plenty around, but the chances were decent that - especially if the holding building was over capacity - that at least one of the Penitatas there would be headed to the same neighborhood she was. Her meeting him prior to his rejuvenation was defying the odds, though.

"I didn't need you to tell me it wouldn't work." Ava muttered. She was a highly skilled scientist! Of course she knew about the inner workings and the strength of those shields. They weren't prominent in her specific field of work, but the basic workings of them were part of any science-related job line. Though, she thought, of course some little criminal punk wouldn't know who she was...

Yes, even while being one herself, she still looked down on Penitatas.

"Moreover, my story's none of your business." More than likely, she knew, he would end up finding out from her caretakers blurting it out, or since they were from the same neighborhood, likely the school would announce it for all the world to know. Ava was pretty sure that, unfortunately, Penitatas had no right to privacy, and generally the 'parents' enjoyed shaming the children, announcing to the world every single thing the young child did wrong. But even so, even with the inevitable looming, she'd make sure she had one shred of control: that he'd not be hearing it from her.






[[OoC; Oh, thanks! I found the pic on Zerochan, if I recall. I like to put banners in the first post of my RPs, just to kind of give it its own specific header. Plus, making them is fun!! > w<b]]

[Hrtofdrkns]

Max was a bit surprised at her hostility. "It was a simple question. No need to be so angry." He shrugged. "Well anyway, my name's Max. I'm starting my second of six cycles of five to ten for manslaughter."

Max's charge had originally been murder, but the district attorney agreed to drop it down to manslaughter in exchange for Max pleading guilty. In addition his obvious remorse, as well as the circumstances of the crime, had encouraged the judge to go easy on him during sentencing.

The little boy turned and walked to the chair, sitting down. "Alright little miss 'had better change her attitude before her parents put her on a three spankings a day regimen for a month', why don't we start at the basics. You're a penitatas now. That means you can be spanked at anytime, for any reason, by anyone. So just maybe you don't want to give then an extra reason by being nasty to people."

[EmmaliaChan]

"Great, they put me in with a murderer." Ava muttered coolly, crossing her arms. "I'm not going to beg for my life if you try to kill me, so if that's your 'thing' you might want to try elsewhere." Though, truthfully? From what she'd heard of Penitatas life, she'd far rather the boy kill her right then than have to go through what her parents would probably put her through.

The filthy little bastard felon... Most of them were murderers or thieves, she knew. Honestly, she wasn't sure why it took her a little bit by surprise. It was unusual for the crime to be something other than those two things, which was why she'd never wanted to raise one for her license -- why would she shelter someone who killed someone, or someone who might possibly take her things?

It seemed they had already broken him, though; the first thing out of his mouth was a 'warning' that she was going to get spanked. Around there, she knew, there generally wasn't a single person who didn't enjoy tormenting the Penitatas about their upcoming, inevitable spankings. Their caretakers, neighbors, 'relatives', teachers, classmates... They all had this strange obsession, mentioning spankings and punishments had to happen in nearly every conversation. Ava believed it was a power trip. They enjoyed lording it over the helpless subjects of their abuse.

Understanding that he'd been fully transformed into one of 'them', she knew there was no point in getting angry or trying to argue; he couldn't help it, it was what they'd done to him. Instead she rolled her eyes and flipped him off with her newly childlike hands before returning to her pacing, like a wild tiger trapped in a cage. She didn't want his advice. She didn't need it. She hated this. She hated it already.

Day one of five-thousand-four-hundred-seventy-five, and she already wanted it to end.

[Hrtofdrkns]

Max hung his head at her words.

"It was an accident..." He said softly. When he raised his head two tears were sliding down his cheeks as he watched her flip him off.

"You're mean and spiteful." He told her while wiping the tears off. "I know your type. You think you're so superior to everyone else that you're just insulted you were punished like a mere mortal. But you know something? I only feel pity for you. The best thing a penitatas can have is a friend, someone who understands what they're going through. But you've decided to go it alone."

****

Mike and Sarah Stevens sat in the next room watching Ava and Max on CCTV, along with the couple who would be Max's new parents. The whole thing was part of the new program for penitatas, to see what they were like when they thought they weren't being watched.

"Well I can see why Corrections requested for us to take Ava." Sarah said. The Stevens specialized in difficult cases. They were used to dealing with violent criminals and sexual predators, and had a consistent record of success. So they had understandably been surprised when Corrections had told them Ava's crime.

But now, seeing her behavior, it was clear that their expertise was needed.

"At least Max will be a good influence on her." Mike offered. "I only hope she doesn't impede his rehabilitation."

[EmmaliaChan]

Ava Bailey
Accident? Ha. Ava found herself disbelieving that; there were enough precautionary measures in the day and age they were in that accidentally murdering someone was far more difficult than purposefully doing so. Everything was monitored and carefully regulated, and vehicles were even able to go on autopilot. Pointing a gun at someone and shooting wasn't an 'accident'. Jabbing them in the chest or throat with a knife wasn't an 'accident'. Pushing someone off a ledge wasn't an 'accident'. The only ways to kill someone were direct, hands-on, and purely physical, and she fully believed that people were responsible for their own actions - him saying it was an accident was bullshit.

The boy went on with a bit of schmiel, claiming to know all about her and how she felt. Mean and spiteful? Mean... Perhaps her words could be construed as mean. But what had she done that was spiteful? She doubted this boy even knew the meaning of the word, using it in such an unrelated context as he was! But yes, yes she felt superior. Yes, she was upset about the way she was being punished, but not because of her arrogance - it was because of the Hell she'd been sentenced to. Ava would've happily taken any punishment besides this one, death included. Ava was certain that he'd felt the same way at some point before they'd compromised him - and if he hadn't, he was merely inhuman, or had been brainwashed long before his first rejuvenation.

Amber eyes glimmering with rage, she glared daggers at her fellow convict. "I never needed anyone before, and I certainly don't now, especially not a killer." She began, pushing a lock of short brown hair behind her ear. Plaintively pointing at the blonde pseudo-child, she began her explanation. "You want to know the difference between you and I? Your crime is taking a life. Someone's dead because of you, and is never coming back, no matter how hard or how often they hit you. They have a family who'll never see them again." Her words weren't (solely) intended to hurt him, she was speaking factually. And either way, he'd attacked her first, his words had been severely insulting, regardless of if they were partially true. It wasn't possible to judge all of the facets of her personality after having known her for less than ten minutes. He was pompous, and a know-it-all, and she didn't like it.

"My crime? Creating life. Bringing someone into the world, albeit without the courts' permission." There went that shred of control she wanted to hold onto, the shred that had made her promise she wouldn't tell him of why she'd been convicted. Oh well, it was for a good cause - he was directly insulting her as a person, insinuating that in mere minutes he knew everything about her and the type of person she was. Ava felt like her rage at the system was fully justified; she hadn't hurt anyone. "So... Don't talk down to me like you're so great. We're both criminals, and they'll equally treat us both like their personal punching bags - probably me even more so, since I'm certain they're watching us somehow - but it's only natural that I feel a bit superior when I obviously have the higher moral ground here."




Leo Summers and Veronica Shepard
The young couple watched the CCTV as the two children interacted. They were unsure of this new program; to them, it seemed to risk fighting far too much to make sense. They still wore KidKuffs, but kicking was an option, of course... Though, they supposed they were too new at all this to make a judgement.

Leo Summers was a doctor, having studied through four lifetimes and learned about - and even gotten the rare opportunity to witness - all sorts of rare diseases and physical disabilities. He'd gotten to take part in the curing of some of them, and was semi well-known by his peers for being quite skilled at what he did. Leo had always been highly attentive, and as such did very well and retained all of the information he'd learned in school, and was particularly fond of the anatomy classes he'd taken; the human body was such a fascinating thing.

His fiancee was the beautiful psychologist Veronica Shepard, who he'd met in his most recent run-through of medical school. Her serene personality and kind heart deeply contrasted his more serious nature, though he could be just as loving as she was - the difference was that he wasn't as adept at showing it. Where Leo was fascinated by the body, Veronica was obsessed with the mind. The way people thought, the way people acted, the way people reacted; when you found that there was always a great deal more to things than what was on the surface, your mind was just so much clearer about how to deal with people. But she'd given up the possibility of a career, ending things only with her studies - it was how Leo wanted it. He wanted a housewife, not a working woman, and she had complied.

This was their first time raising a child at all, let alone a Penitatas; they were training for their Parenting License, which they'd promised each other to get prior to getting married. They loved one another deeply, and felt very much as if they were married already, but both Veronica and Leo were very patient. Good things come to those who wait, after all, and they wanted to be fully certain that they were ready and prepared.

"Gosh, she's a fascinating little thing, isn't she? I'm glad we'll be neighbors; I'm very curious to see how she evolves over time." Veronica said to the other set of parents, a cute, amused smile on her delicate features. Beside her, Leo was flicking through Max's file, learning about his new little charge. The folders inside the room were merely props. Her expression soon changed to a frown, though, after hearing the two childrens' interactions, Ava's cold words in particular. "Poor little Max, though. I see where she's coming from, but... That was a mean thing to say. Should we step in, or...?"

Leo spoke up then, flipping the folder closed. "Not so sure a 'good influence' is what I'd call Max. She's a scientist, right? It's doubtful that his tendency to jump to conclusions will do the research-oriented mind of a scientist any favors." The blonde haired man adjusted his glasses higher on his nose, turning once again to the small screen. Things weren't hostile, and their wrists were bound. Turning to Veronica and shaking his head, he responded, "I don't think we need to intervene just yet, but certainly soon. It's up to you two." As he spoke the last sentence, his gaze shifted to the other couple, Mike and Sarah Stevens.





[[OoC;; Would very much appreciate if you posted the contents of that file now since you didn't before~ I'd love it if you kept it in the same format as Ava's, just for continuity's sake.]]

[Hrtofdrkns]

Max's profile told his new parents all they would need to know about him at first, the rest they would learn through interaction with him.

Max Harrison (#398876)

Mother: Christina Harrison

Father: Marcus Harrison

Ex-Wife: Mary Harrison-Peters

Daughter: Jenny Harrison-Peters

Religious Views: Atheist/Lapsed Catholic
Occupation: Mechanic/Business Owner
Likes: Chicken, apples, fruit, warm weather
Dislikes: Cold weather, fish, very spicy foods
Interests: Baseball, soccer, machines, reading, nature
Traits*: Affectionate, kind, helpful, thoughtful, introspective

Notes*: Max has displayed feelings of extreme guilt over his crime, and has made statements that he is bad, evil, and unlovable. These kinds of feelings will need to be addressed as he grows. He must learn to forgive himself.

In the opinion of his first cycle parents, it may benefit Max if he is allowed some sort of contact with his ex-wife and daughter. While this is technically not allowed, we believe it may help his rehabilitation if he knows that they are doing well. This will require special permission as the daughter is a kindern.



"I think we should go in there before either of them does something they'll regret." Mike suggested as he looked at the monitor. Max's fist were clenched, as if he was fighting the urge to attack Ava. And with her attitude it would be hard to blame him.

"We were planning to go out to lunch after signing Ava out at the front desk. Maybe you and Max could join us?" Sarah suggested to Leo and Veronica. "There is a place nearby that's used to having penny families as customers, and it has a play area for children.

****

Max had tears running down his face at her words. "You don't know what you're talking about." He said. "I loved him like a brother. And I destroyed two families that day, his and mine."

He turned away, bringing up his hands over his eyes and starting to cry. "You...you really think I don't regret it? You think I don't hate myself every moment of every day? I wish it was me in that grave rather then him." He was about to say more when the door suddenly opened, two adults stepping in. They gave Max a sad look, then headed directly for Ava.

"Hello Ava." The man said softly, kneeling down to her eye level. He had found that this made him appear less threatening to penitatas, made it easier for them to trust him. "My name is Mike Stevens. I'm going to be your new daddy."

"And I'm Sarah, your new mommy." The woman said as she knelt next to her husband. "We know you're scared right now. We don't blame you for that. But as long as you obey our rules and treat us with respect, we think you'll find us easy to get along with."

"That's right." Mike added. "Our rules are very simple. If you behave you only get your maintenance spankings. But if you are rude, talk back, or disobey us we will paddle your bare bottom. And if you still chose not to listen we will put you in pain-tees." The Stevens had, after many penitatas, found that it was best to tell them exactly the way they did things upon first meeting. That way the child couldn't say they were unaware, and though of course most would misbehave from time to time they eventually made the connection between bad behavior and bad consequences.

Max slowly put his hands down as two other adults approached him. His new parents he assumed. Still crying, he kept his eyes lowered, wondering what they would do. Some parents preferred to give the Welcome Home Spanking right away, while others put it off until bedtime. Traditionally it was a paddling from both parents, but for a 'worthless little killer' like him he wondered if they'd cane him bloody. And he would deserve it. He should only suffer and never feel good.

[EmmaliaChan]

Ava Bailey
It took a huge amount of self-restraint not to laugh at the boy as he told her she 'didn't know what she was talking about'. She had said that he killed someone, and that said person wasn't coming back because of it. But no, no, she apparently had no idea what she was talking about? Was he delusional enough to think that wasn't true? Did his Penny parents make him believe that somehow, if he served his sentence, the man would spontaneously come back to life?

Seriously, what kind of strange system thought that was a fair trade? Oh no, you killed a man! Let's brutally beat your ass until we're satisfied with how bruised and welted you are, that'll make things all better.

Ava just couldn't wrap her head around it.

Moreover, she'd never insinuated that he didn't regret it. This Max boy... Ava felt a pang of pity for him. There was obviously a deficiency with his comprehension that was going unnoticed and untreated, all because they were more concerned with hitting him. Her thoughts quickly changed, however. He was a murderer, so, in her mind, he didn't deserve her pity.

But before she could verbalize any of her many possible retorts, the door swung open, four unfamiliar adults stepping inside before it shut again. They sorted themselves, one pair coming to her, the other pair heading over to Lord of the Sob Story. When they knelt down in front of her, she reflexively took a step back; it wasn't out of fear, as her mental shell had finally fully formed at some point during her spat with Max, but more because it felt very much like they were in her face and threatening her - probably because that was, indeed, the case.

Once again she was forced to exercise self-restraint, keeping her eyes from rolling at the fact that these people were so painfully typical. First thing in the door, they feel that compulsion to tell their weak little criminal charge, 'hey, guess how much we're going to hurt you? this much!' She noted her new 'parents' even remembered to specify her 'bare bottom', how sickeningly sweet of them. They even went so far as to threaten her with their perverted torture devices. But, again, Ava understood that the Penitatas communities were always this way. Each and every person immediately thought 'spank spank spank spank spank spank' whenever they saw a child. She thought it was disgusting.

But she was stuck with them, she supposed. Besides, their threats fell on deaf ears, in a way; she was miserable, and could be cruel, but she wasn't stupid. Ava had no intention of making this any harder on herself than it needed to be. They didn't yet earn her disrespect (as she felt Max had by being a Penitatas, regardless of the absurdity), so for now, she would be polite and respectful and do as she was told.

Thankfully, her excursion with the other Penitatas had given her time to construct the perfect plan to refuse to call them 'Mommy' or 'Daddy' (she didn't think she'd ever even called her own parents that, opting instead for 'Mom', 'Dad', and the occasional 'Papa'). "Yes, Ma'am, yes, Sir. I understand." They couldn't complain about that, right?



Leo Summers and Veronica Shepard
The pair nodded in agreement when Mike decided it would be best to intervene, Veronica a little bit reluctantly. The psychosocial aspect of the Penitatas programs was interesting to her, and she was in no rush to break up the observational pair, and neither could do any real damage with their KidKuffs on. At the suggestion that they go out to lunch, she looked to Leo for the answer. "It's up to you." She said plainly, waiting for his answer.

"I don't see why not; if we're going to be neighbors it seems like it'd be best for them to learn to like each other quickly." The blonde explained, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "Exposure to one another's the best way to do that, no?"

"Well... Maybe." Veronica didn't seem convinced, but she shrugged and nodded all the same. "Making them work together is the way to go, though, I think. Some sort of project they have to do together after we all get settled, maybe with some sort of reward if they manage to do it." Waving her hands as if physically dismissing the subject from the room, she smiled and turned back to the other parents. "Anyway, sure, we'll come along!"

With that, they headed in to the next room. Max was sniffling and Ava looked kind of... Bored. Their bulky paper gowns that hung off them like shawls looked even more comical up close. She noted the two sets of clothes on the chair in the room, and quickly sorted Max's from Ava's - the little girl's set were a simple black t-shirt with green markings and khaki shorts, as well as matching sneakers. Max's were different, however.

Turning her attention back to the little boy, she smiled at him, gently reaching to wipe the tears off of his face with her thumb. "Heya, Max~ Seems like we've waited forever to meet you." She said cheerfully, the serene woman trying her hardest to cheer him up a little. "I'm Veronica, and this is my fiancee, Leo. We're... Well. You're a second-cycle, right? I know you know we're your new parents." Leo seemed a bit more awkward about the whole thing, so she continued handling their introduction on her own. "We'll be heading out to eat with the Stevens family after we leave here, but let's get you changed first, yeah?"

She gently ruffled his hair, then unlocked the cuffs binding his wrists. After gesturing to Leo to stand between him and the other girl in order to give Max some privacy, she gently helped him into his clothes before scooping the little boy up. "Ready to head out, little guy?" Without waiting for a response, she carried him out, with Leo directly on her tail; she would need to wait for the Stevenses, as she had no idea where the restaurant was, but she was still quite eager to get going. The judicial building kind of gave her the willies - everything was so cold and clinical in there.

[Hrtofdrkns]

Mike smiled a little. "Very good." He gently took off the paper gown and began to dress her. "But there's something you have to do before we can leave. Your file mentions that you behaved very badly before your rejuvenation."

"That's right." Sarah agreed. "Such shameful, disrespectful behavior isn't tolerated in our family. You need to apologize to the technicians." Sarah though for a moment. "I suppose we could warm your bottom beforehand to get you in the mood to apologize..."

"No, I don't think she'll need to be spanked first." Mike objected. "Ava is going to be a polite, well-behaved little girl on her own."

Of course Mike knew that Ava would eventually need to be spanked. No child could stay completely out of trouble forever, and that was especially true of penitatas.

****

Max sniffled, nodding when she suggested they change his clothes. He was a bit surprised when his new Daddy tried to shield him. Usually nobody cared about a penitatas' modesty, and truth be told after five years of public bare-bottom spankings Max wasn't really all that modest.

The little boy wrapped his arms around Veronica's neck when she picked him up. "I don't like her." He said, looking over at Ava. "She's mean."

It was the rejuve effect talking. The adult mind in the child's brain. Most rejuves could speak like adults and act their chronological ages if they concentrated, but when under stress (like a spanking), all rejuves reverted to childlike behaviors. Crying, tantrums, wanting a favorite toy, these were all common across the board.

Once out in the lobby Max still clung to his mommy. "Are you gonna give me my welcome home spankings at the restaurant?" he asked.